Which? Submits Super-Complaint to OFT Regarding Debit and Credit Card Surcharges

The consumer body Which? has submitted a super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading ('OFT') asking it to investigate the surcharges that are payable when customers pay for goods or services by debit/credit card. A super-complaint is a complaint made under a fast-track procedure to the OFT by certain bodies which represent consumers, as designated under the Enterprise Act 2002.  Such a complaint is made when concerns are raised that a feature, or combination of features, of a market is, or appear to be, significantly harming the interests of consumers. Which? is one of eight bodies currently designated to make super-complaints.

Which? wants the OFT to investigate the issue of transparency of surcharges and the level of the charge itself. It warns that these charges are unjustifiable and becoming increasingly widespread. The actual cost to companies for taking payment by card is around 20p for a debit card, and no more than 2% of the transaction for a credit card,